World Cup winner Juan Mata’s advice for Hong Kong champions’ Australian striking recruit
New Tai Po striker James Temelkovski has arrived in Hong Kong with the recent advice of a World Cup and Champions League winner ringing in his ears.
Last summer, Temelkovski secured a dream professional opportunity with the Australian A-League team Western Sydney Wanderers.
However, the 27-year-old Australian made only eight substitute appearances in his single campaign. His solitary goal, against Central Coast Mariners, was created by former Chelsea and Manchester United forward Juan Mata.
“Even though he’s a world-class footballer, as a human being he’s one of a kind,” Temelkovski said. “He’ll put his arm around you and wants to know you and understand how you think. He was an incredible friend and mentor.
“He knew my time at the club was tough, but he told me he believed in me, that I was an unbelievable player, and I couldn’t allow my head to go down. He said I had to keep striving to get where I want, because that’s what a real footballer does.”
Temelkovski was close enough with Mata – part of Spain’s 2010 world champion squad and a Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2012 – that the pair devised forfeits for their darts matches.
“Whoever won could throw a dart with the other standing in front of the board and their head down,” Temelkovski said. “I got to throw at him, but I was never going to hit him. It was a good laugh.”
Temelkovski spent the 2018-19 season with the under-19 team of the then La Liga club Huesca.
He said it remained a “sore point” that visa issues prevented him from accepting an offer to join permanently.
“I wished I could have signed; it was very tough for me,” Temelkovski said. “I never had any proper guidance in football; I was still young and learning.
“I’m not from a football family, so it’s hard when your old man doesn’t understand how it works. But my parents tried to guide me down the right path, and I carried on taking football very seriously.”
Temelkovski said he left Spain a more rounded individual.
“Going abroad young, you have to be mentally strong; it’s not for everyone,” he added. “Training and playing is great, but outside football you have to cook, clean, condition your body and get the right sleep.
“It was a new language, and lots of travelling. Some people give up because of those things, but I embrace all challenges; they make you who you are.”
Temelkovski played for a string of semi-professional clubs before a 22-goal campaign for second-tier Marconi Stallions earned him his Western Sydney break.
“It was a difficult season; the team was winning and it was hard to get in,” he said. “But you move on. I saw how the Hong Kong league was developing, and the calibre of Tai Po’s players and coaching staff, and thought this was right for my career.”
Reigning champions Tai Po, who will compete in this season’s AFC Champions League 2, are on pre-season camp in Thailand and Temelkovski’s partner will move to Hong Kong when he returns.
“She can’t wait,” he said. “I need to start understanding the language and adapt to the humidity, but I am excited.
“My ambition is to win the league and more trophies, to be top scorer in Hong Kong and show what I have. I want to be dominant and bring some flair and a lot of eyes to the league.”
https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3321066/world-cup-winner-juan-matas-advice-hong-kong-champions-australian-striking-recruit